Japan's styrene monomer output of 215,691 tonnes in July up 7% from June but down 8% year-over-year, with exports reviving; PS production of 55,571 tonnes in July up 29% from June but down 3% year-over-year

Andrew Rogers

LOS ANGELES , August 16, 2012 (Industry Intelligence Inc.) –

Japanese production of styrene monomer and polystyrene (PS) improved in July compared to a month earlier but was still lower than a year ago, the Japan Styrene Industry Association said on Aug. 15, reported Platts on Aug. 16.

Styrene monomer output of 215,691 tonnes in July was up 7% from June but still 8% lower than a year ago, while July PS production of 55,571 tonnes jumped 19% from July but was down 3% year-over-year, according to the data.

Strong demand overseas boosted exports of Japanese styrene monomer in July to 98,809 tonnes, up 24% from June but still 16% below a year ago. July’s domestic sales of 118,166 tonnes were up 13% from June and up 2% year-over-year, Platts reported.

Japanese producers had 80,254 tonnes of styrene monomer in inventory at the end of July, and this was 2% lower than a month earlier and down 14% from a year ago.

Of July’s total domestic shipments of styrene monomer, 48,634 tonnes went to producers of general and high-impact PS, 20,178 tonnes went to the acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene sector, 15,744 tonnes went to synthetic rubber makers, and 6,968 tonnes went to the expandable PS sector, reported Platts.

The primary source of this article is Platts, New York, New York, on Aug. 16, 2012.
 

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